Chapter One: Small Town Story
"Here are some pamphlets that I created explaining the history of show choir, I think you will find rather impressive, did you know the first ever- "
Truth is I can't even remember this girls name let alone muster up the attention to listen to her 30-minute rant about show choir history in Lima Ohio.
I rest my head on the desk and let my eyes close to think about my rotten luck.
Every year was the same old routine. My mother, freshly off her newest divorce, would announce a lifestyle change complete with new wardrobes, new cities and even new names. It never surprised me when her relationship with the newest Hollywood Wanna Be didn't work out. When it did crash and burn we would leave. Take up new lives in a new city and become new people.
Moving around the United States seemed to be the way my mother and me lived, nomads on the search for a place to call our own. After six divorces she had decided to take up an easier lifestyle. One that called for the slower pace of Lima, Ohio.
I missed New York, the bustling street life, the bright lights and the aspiration of Broadway greatness. The closest thing to hope I can find in this dilapidated town is leaving.
I hummed absent-mindedly and drummed on the old wooden desk as I watched the dark clouds cover the sky.
"What are you singing?" a loud persistent voice broke my daydreaming. I jolted and locked eyes with the black haired girl staring intently at me from less then a foot away.
"If you're going to get that close you'll have to buy me dinner first" I winked and chuckled as she backed up, a dark red blush covering her cheeks. Small town charm was kind of amusing. If I was going to be stuck in this town might as well make the most of it.
I stood up and packed my things in my sling bag eager to ditch her. Emma Pillsbury, the schools guidance consular, insisted on assigning me a student ambassador help navigate the small and dingy hallways of WMHS. I could make my way around New York City streets blindfolded with 10 dollars to my name; a two-story school seemed like a small feat.
According to her, each Glee Club member had offered to walk me from class to class. A recruiting technique I suppose. Coming from New York I had been equipped with enough knowledge of music to last me a lifetime. But something about a club dedicated to singing seemed too structured, too caged for my taste. While my guide tried desperately to get me to join all I could do was roll my eyes and wait patiently.
Halfway through the day, I reminded myself.
I sighed deeply pushing my auburn hair from my face as I walked away quickly.
"Wait a second" the girl grabbed me by the elbow as I attempted to walk through the door.
"I wasn't finished telling you about the Glee Clubs ethnicity acceptance policy. It will only take a second, besides isn't this your lunch period?"
I turned slightly, already tired of being the new girl.
"Listen", I responded, gently removing her hand from my elbow, "This has been great and all, your town seems… interesting. But honestly, chances are I will be out of here as soon as my mother finds another man to waste her time with."
The girl looked taken aback. Seems like being blunt was rarity here.
I smiled as she struggled to formulate a response that conveyed enough convincible sympathy with out making me feel uncomfortable.
"Don't sweat it. I'm an upfront person, there's no need to hide who I am or where I came from. I know I'm going to become something one day" I said with a sense of pride.
The dark haired girl smiled enthusiastically, "That's a refreshing attitude, I know I will see my name in lights one day, 'Rachel Berry: One-Woman show'."
Rachel Berry. I should probably remember that.
"Well Rachel, good luck with that I guess, I have to get going I wanted to use some of my free time to you know…be free" I gestured towards the Cannon DSLR around my neck.
Lima may be a busted old town, but some great shots could be made if only I could leave the small empty classroom.
Rachel nodded, "There's a photography club you know? You could join that. Or you could always join the Glee club. I heard you singing under your breath while I talked, or maybe you were using an explicative. I know it must be a rough day for you, being new and all", she rushed out.
Glee Club. I groaned slightly.
"Thanks for the offer but I'm going to have to decline."
Rachel nodded looking down at her worn out saddle shoes sighed dramatically. "I know, we are all losers and you wouldn't want to be seen with us."
"No, that's not it at all, it's just-"
"That's fine really, we have a couple of new recruits anyway. Blaine just transferred in and he is quite good, even if he has a strange obsession with dancing on the piano" she interrupted.
Before I could answer a hand snaked around my waist and pulled me from Rachel's side.
"Keep walking" a light voice said. I looked up at my new companion. Her tangle of blonde hair covered her face as we rushed down the crowded hallway before stopping in front of the cafeteria doors.
"Nice to meet you, Riley. I'm Brittany," she said extending her arm for a friendly handshake.
I chuckled as I grabbed her hand glancing down at the picture of a cat on her shirt with the printed out words, "Cat-astrophe". She was tall and lean with an unmistakable dancers build. I thought fleetingly of the dancers in New York, the urban movers that flowed with such grace and style that it seemed impossible to stop them. They were the culture of the city.
"Thanks for saving me back there, Rachel can be a little…uhmm."
"Intense" Brittany offered with a carefree laugh. "She is really a good person though. The heart of the Glee club"
I shifted uncomfortably, "Yeah, I hope you're not planning on trying to convince me to join. Rachel heard me humming and just about kidnapped me."
Brittany shook her head, blonde curls bounced, "Not at all, it's not everyone's thing, I get that. Kind of reminds me of the time I tried to teach my goldfish how to ride a bicycle. But at least he tried" she shrugged happily.
The clicking of high- heeled shoes echoed in the now empty hallway. I cast a small glance to the Latin girl walking towards the doors of the cafeteria, flicking her hair to the side ever so casually. She was shorter then Brittany but wore heels that doubled her height. She made walking look like a runway shoot. Something about the way she moved made my heart ache. I knew why.
She looked confident enough on the outside. She had maintained a perfect strut and mastered a carefree look. But something in the way she glanced at the blonde next to me made me uneasy. Regret, bravery, sadness, anger all reflected in her eyes.
My hand flinched for my camera instinctively.
Ever so often she would glance away from the Brittany and down at the toes of her black pumps.
"S", Brittany bounced up and down with anticipation, grabbing the other girl's hand casually, "This is Riley, she's a transfer student from…"
"New York" I interjected my eyes trained on the Latin girls stoic expression. Brittany had already pulled her hand away from her friends'.
The look reappeared on the girl's face, this time sad and broken.
Filling the silence I spoke out, "So Brittany calls you S huh? Short for.. Sally? Susan?"
"It's Santana. If you are thinking about joining the Glee don't assume you will be getting solos. Rachel Berry already assumes she is the second coming of the messiah and there is already a hobbit who is poised to take them all anyway."
Giving Brittany a pointed look, as if to say 'don't take in a stray', she pushed her way into the cafeteria.
Well at least she didn't look sad anymore.
Brittany scratched her arm absent-mindedly a look of concentration on her face as she stared after Santana.
"Well, thanks for showing me the lunchroom, but I think I'm going to spend this period outside." I mumbled out. It seems those two had some unfinished business to attend to.
Brittany nodded and giving me a quick, unexpected, hug headed into the lunchroom after her friend. Santana sat at a far table in the back, pushing food around on her plate. People surrounded her. But could she really call any of them friends?
Some of the most well known people are the loneliest in life. I watched as Brittany took her place in the empty seat next to Santana, tension lining both their faces.
Just because it's a small town doesn't mean it is a boring town.
